Journal C of Station No. 2, William Still, 1855, 20

Home Journal C of Station No. 2, William Still, 1855, 20

Journal C of Station No. 2, William Still, 1855, 20

(3)                         Dec. 20/55
Arrived_ Wm Brown[1] arrived after a travelling suffering accessively by the way while coming 5 weeks_  He is of a dark chesnut color, well made, expert intelligent &c.  The threat of his owner to sell him only a short time before he left, was what moved him to escape_  Being spirit the master was not permitted to flog him whenever he though he deserved it, consequently, he was not willing that his bade Example in refusing the flogging Should longer continue to currupt the morals of the other slaves, therefore proposed the selling remedy.  Wm however proposed in his own mind to try the Underground Rail Road.
       His masters name was Wm Elliott, Farmer, living in Prince George’s County near Queen Ann,  He was not regarded as amongst t the hardest of master, though by no means a good one_
       Wm left his Father, Grand mother, 4 Sisters & 2 Bros. all living where he came from.
       With the cold, Wm Suffered exceedingly on the Road.
       James Griffin[2] new name Thos. Brown came from Baltimore.  was moved to seek his freedom to keep from being sold.  His masters Creditors being about to inter up against him.  James is about 31, chesnut color, fine looking Intelligent & prepossessing_  The Monday before leaving his master gave him the priviledge to hunt himself a new master, consequently James felt that while he had a few days grace he had better seeking a home where he could be his own Master,  according he started for the North.  Walked dilligently all night (the first night) wearing his feet very sore though he would not give up  Consequently by persevering he won the race.
       His master’s name was Joshua Hitch, Farmer, hired 17 miles from Baltimore &c  He was regarded as a mild man, though given to drinking_  Unfortunately he had involved himself largely, so that there was no chance of his escaping the sherriff.  He was about 50 yrs of age though had never been married_ He had three Slave woman, two were sisters_ all of whom he lived with as his wives_  Two of them especially he was very found of_ one was the house keeper; by her he had two children the oldest 8 & the youngest in his 7th yr.  The name of his wives were Nancy & Mary Polk, (Mulatoes) and Lizibeth Winder_  Elizabeth he had consented might be sold, the other two he was loft to part with.  Perhaps however it would be out of his power to save them from his creditors.
       James had had a wife but 2 yrs ago  she was sold to N.C.  since he had only had 3 letters from her_  never expects to get any more  2 little boys he was obliged to leave in Baltimore _ Edward & Wm

                             Dec, _ 55
(1) Wm Jordon[3] new name Wm Price, was owned in N.C., Bertie, by Gov. Bradge.  With the Gov. he had lived only 12 months.  He came by Wm through his wife whom he had resently married, she being his 3rd one.  Her name was Mary Jordon before marrying the Gov.  The master & mistress were both Rich_ owning large numbers of Slaves  They were likewise severe.  Would stint their slaves very much for food & clothing, though did not flog as awfully as some of their neighbors_  The master had Plantations, and raised Cotton, Corn & Pease.  He would come time come on the Plantation in the morning and watch them till dinner, hurrying them up.
       Wm it must be stated had been bought from Bertie to the west, the Residence of the Gov._  When he was required to leave Bertie, the place of his nativity he was promised that he might have chances could make a little money and occasionally have the liberty of going home.  But before he had been in his new home, in the west a great while, he was told that he could not go see his friends, and said if he “had said so” he “did not mean so.”  Consequently Wm thought he would try and escape; running the risk of being defeated &c.  For 10 mos_ he took up his habitation in the woods & swamps_ Three months living in a cave dug by himself expressly for his own accommodation.  Bears, wild cats, coons &c as neighbors were numerous all around him but he feared them not_ “feared nothing but man”.  Likewise Snakes_ the Rattle snake & others were very common_
       He procured his food after night_ would go out after night and get his Pig &c; from other he would get things also_  Finally he acquainted with a certain Capt. who heart could be trusted, and accordingly they brought him a way_
       Wm is about 25_ very stout and solid built, dark &c.

                             Dec.24/55
(1) Mrs. Judah wife of Mr. Judah who fled some months back from Richmond.  She was free but he was not.

(1)                         Dec. 25/55
Arrived_  Joseph Cornish[4] arrived from Dorchester Co. Md.  He is about 40 yrs of age, quite dark, naturally intelligent, and well built_  As a slave he has been worked hard_ 
       For about 7 yrs he has been an acceptable preacher in the African Methodist Church_ was respected by the respectable, white and colored, in the neighborhood_ and but to escape from being sold he would not have left.  He left a wife and 5 children_ they are all free
              Jos_ was owned by Samuel Lecount, Captain in the Navey.  He was very hard on his servants, allowing them no chance to make a little for themselves.

(1)                         Dec 30/55
Arrived_  Lewis Frances[5] (Lewis Johnson) aged 27, medium size, well made & good looking, and intelligent, reached here on the 29th inst., from Baltimore  He is the property of Mrs. Delmas of Abington, Harford Co. Md._  From a Boy Lewis has been hired and in the employ of James Anderson, Barber, of Baltimore.  Out of his yearly wages Lewis was allowed only $250_; $8_ per month was exacted by the Mistress_ though she fund him no clothing.  Of late yr’s she had been dissatisfied with his wages and had talked strongly of selling him unless he got higher


[1] William Brown was an extremely intelligent young man who suffered so severely from exposure when he fled enslavement that he seriously considered returning to his master.  Yet his dedication to freedom prevailed.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 341-42.

[2] William Still refered to this individual in his book as James Griffin.  With his master under pressure from creditors, James was given several days leave to find a new master in Baltimore  He determined to strike for freedom in the North instead.  After unsuccessfully seeking aid from underground railroad agents in the city, he began walking alone towards Pennsylvania.  Once he reached Columbia in the free state, he found much more aid and was quickly forwarded to the Vigilance Committee in Philadelphia.  They supplied him with all the necessary information for reaching Canada safely.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 314-15.

[3] While life was hard on the Governor’s plantation, William Jordon finally decided to flee when the Governor denied him the privilege of visiting his wife after having earlier promised him the ability to do so.  After long concealment in his cave in the woods, a friend alerted William that Captain Fountain would carry him to Philadelphia for a price.  William soon departed for Wilmington, Delaware, where he worked for several weeks. Thomas Garrett, the Quaker abolitionist, then gave him money for passage on the steamship by It is likely that he left for New Bedford, Massachusetts, from Philadelphia.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 129-31.

[4] Joseph Cornish, a preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, worried about fleeing because he feared his flock of parishioners would be left without a shepherd.  Save for his grave fear of being sold, he would not have left.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 334-35.

[5] Lewis Francis fled successfully to Philadelphia and the assistance of the Vigilance Committee.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 335.

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